On Thu, 04 Jul 2002 23:59:02 -0700
Roger B A Klorese <Roger> wrote:
> Shannon Appelcline wrote:
> But we *want* the lowest common denominator. We don't want people to
> be cut off from the social and support uses of the net because of
> their computer-illiteracy.
There's a fine line there which is easily glossed over between ignorance
and willful negligence and deliberate offense. I've no problem with
those who simply don't know -- we all learned once. The problem is not
the ignorant, but those who will not learn or who otherwise refuse to
modify their behaviour.
That's why I specifically and very consciously don't want the lowest
common denominator. The louts and vandals, sadly, dominate. I have
different purposes and far different wishes and expectations of my list
members. Much of my intent with my lists is to do something better --
to substantively improve or change a condition. That single definition
self-selects the rather smaller population who share that purpose.
To an extent I view the general case much like I view other drivers on
the road. I (often futilely) expect a minimal level of competence of
other drivers, especially if they are driving on highways or other
more demanding conditions. The difference with mail systems and lists
in specific, is that unlike the road, I can attempt to educate and
reform the people who do left turns from the right lane, who do not
understand simple newtonian mechanics while guiding a 4 tonne chunk of
metal about the countryside, and who do not understand or employ the
simple standardised communication systems of driving (blinkers, brake
lights, etc) -- and again, unlike the real road, I can kick them off
the road and keep them off the road if they won't learn and modify
their behaviour.
While 4 tonne hunks of metal have more fatal failure modes associated
with them than email, expecting and requiring minimal levels of
competence (for subjective definitions of minimal) for any and all the
systems where humans rub up against each other seems both reasonable and
right.
In a rather similar way, I also require those about me to bathe
regularly and will generally not associate with them if they don't.
Basic cleanliness is part of the minimal requirements for being among
other humans.
Similarly, basic email etiquette is part of the minimal requirements
for being among other email sending/using humans.
Its a question of having reasonably good manners.
--
J C Lawrence
---------(*) Satan, oscillate my metallic sonatas.
claw@kanga.nu He lived as a devil, eh?
http://www.kanga.nu/~claw/ Evil is a name of a foeman, as I live.
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